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Entry Level Police Officer

City of Seattle Police Department
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Position Description

 

The Seattle Police Department is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in its workforce. We currently have starting salaries over 100k!


 

Hiring Bonus: The City of Seattle is offering a $7,500 hiring bonus for entry-level police officers, plus up to $5,000 in reimbursable moving expenses. Please see the Seattle Police Department website to learn more. 


 

Speak with a Recruiter: Complete this form and a recruiter will reach out to you via text!  


 

 ****Please read the entire job bulletin information carefully, as our testing process has changed.**** 


 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

 

1.  Submit Application:  All candidates must submit a formal application to the City of Seattle as soon as possible.  To submit an application, click “Apply” at the top of this job bulletin.

2.  Register and Complete 2 Exam Components: The law enforcement exam components must be self-scheduled through the National Testing Network (NTN). Examinations are offered virtually or at physical locations across the United States.  Applications and all exam components must be completed. These components include: 

  • Frontline National (Law Enforcement) Exam
  • Public Safety Self-Assessment (Parts 1 & 2)

(Seattle PD provides waivers for the cost of the exam)

Candidates who have taken the NTN Frontline National Law Enforcement Exam within the last six months for another agency may transfer their previous scores to the Seattle Police Department. This is accomplished within your NTN account portal.

 

Candidates who meet eligibility criteria and pass all portions of the exam will be placed on an eligible list according to their exam scores.   If they pass, candidates must then complete and pass all the below pre-employment steps to become a Seattle police officer.  

 

3.  Physical Agility Test:  Candidates must also successfully complete the Washington Physical Agility Test (WAPAT) via the National Testing Network (NTN). 
 
 

  • If you are a Washington-state resident: You must complete your Physical Agility Test (WAPAT) at a National Testing Network site located in Washington State. You can schedule your WAPAT by contacting NTN Candidate Support at (206) 428-3265.
  • Also be advised that there will be an opportunity to complete the WAPAT conducted by the SPD Background Investigation Unit.  Seattle PD will send out a notice/invite to all in-state candidates who were unable to attend an NTN WAPAT by the end of the testing cycle. 
     
  • If you live in any state other than Washington: You can schedule your WAPAT by contacting NTN candidate support at (206) 428-3265.

 

4.  Backgrounding:  Candidates who pass the exam will receive a link via email from the Seattle Police Background unit to fill out their personal history information.  SPD will then conduct a thorough investigation into the candidate’s history. Ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications for this position listed below. 

 

5.  Medical Evaluation, Psychological Exam, and Polygraph Exam:  Candidate will need to complete a medical evaluation that includes drug screening, medical history, vision & hearing test, and a stress EKG test. A psychological exam will be completed via ZOOM. The medical tests can only be completed in-person at specific Seattle locations currently. 

 

6.  Final Offer of Employment: If the candidate completes and passes all the above steps, they will be given an official offer of employment with the Seattle Police Department.  

 

Preference Points: If applicable, candidates may have preference points added to their passing exam scores for:  military experience, multilingual abilities, prior community service experience, prior work experience with the City of Seattle, and prior service as a Police Reserve in the Seattle Police Department.  


 

Applicants who are proficient in more than one language may request to be tested for multilingual proficiency (after passing initial exams). Applicants who have two or more years of verifiable full-time professional or volunteer experience or equivalent (4,160 cumulative hours) delivering direct human/social services may request to be considered for community service preference points by completing this Form.  


 

All requests for preference points will be evaluated in accordance with Rules 9.17-9.21 (Download PDF reader) of the City of Seattle’s Public Safety Civil Service Commission. 


 

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Seattle Police Department is seeking individuals committed to understanding and protecting the ethical, cultural, and ethnic values of the City of Seattle and its residents as Police Officers. As first responders, Police Officers are vital to public safety and under regular supervision, perform basic police services in accordance with the mission, goals, and objectives of the City of Seattle Police Department and in compliance with governing federal, state, and local laws.  

  • Entry Level Police Officer describes a candidate with no prior law enforcement experience and those who have completed a self-sponsored academy and have not worked as a commissioned officer/deputy for a law enforcement agency.
  • Exceptional Entry Police Officer describes a candidate who has successfully completed a basic law enforcement academy and FTO, but who does not have the required 24 months of full-time service as a law enforcement officer in the last 36 months to qualify as a lateral applicant. Exceptional Entry Police Officer candidates must test with the entry-level candidates and are not eligible to take the Lateral entry exam. Exceptional Entry candidates must identify themselves as such by sending an e-mail to the Police Exams Administrator upon completion of their application.

 

Job Responsibilities

 

  • Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations. Explains laws and police procedures to residents.
  • Operates a patrol car. Patrols city streets, areas and businesses to deter criminal activity and promote public safety.
  • Investigates conditions hazardous to life or property; conducts initial investigations of crime and crime scenes; may assist detectives in criminal investigation work. Conducts search and seizure activities as appropriate. Collects and preserves crime scene and evidence.
  • Arrests and/or detains suspected violators of the law. Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
  • Records facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
  • Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
  • Transports individuals in custody.
  • Presents evidence and testimony in judicial settings.

 

The City of Seattle provides police service 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, is required.

 

Qualifications

Eligibility Standards:

  • Be at least twenty and half (20.5) years of age.
  • Hold United States citizenship, OR have legal permanent residency in the U.S. OR be a DACA recipient
  • Attained a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency (GED).
  • Individuals may not have been discharged from military service under dishonorable conditions.

Applicants must meet all eligibility standards by the date of participation in the exam process.

Minimum Employment Standards:

The following standards apply to all candidates for Police Officer.

Drug Use. Prior to the exam date:

  • Have not used Marijuana within twelve (12) months prior to taking civil service exam, and
  • Have not used cocaine or crack within the previous five (5) years, and
  • Have not used club drugs, such as, but not limited to: Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, or MDMA (ecstasy) within the previous three (3) years, and
  • Have not used any Hallucinogens, LSD, Mushrooms, or Psylocybin within the previous five (5) years, and
  • Have not used PCP, Angel Dust, Wet or Phencyclidine within the previous five (5) years, and
  • Have not used Opium, Morphine, or Heroin within the previous five (5) years, and
  • Have not used Methamphetamine, Crank, Crystal, Ice, Speed, Glass, or Amphetamine within the previous five (5) years, and
  • Have not inhaled aerosols, sometimes referred to as Huffing (paint) or Whippits (Nitrous Oxide) or used Khat within the previous five (5) years, and
  • Have not used any illegal drug(s) while employed in a criminal justice and/or law enforcement capacity, and
  • Have not manufactured or cultivated illegal drug(s) for the purpose of the sales/marketing of the drug(s).

Please note that use of illegal drugs and the illegal use of prescription drugs, referred to in this standard, means the use of one or more drugs, the possession or distribution of which is unlawful under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

Offers of employment are conditioned upon a pre-employment drug screening to confirm abstinence from illegal drug use.


Traffic Record

A candidate's driving record will be thoroughly assessed and may be a factor for disqualification. Examples of infractions/traffic crimes that may be disqualifying:

  • Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Reckless Driving, or Hit & Run Driving.
  • Suspension of your driver's license within five (5) years of the exam date
  • Three (3) or more moving violations (speeding, negligent driving, etc.) within five (5) years of the exam date will be carefully reviewed.
  • Two (2) or more accidents within five (5) years of the exam date, wherein candidate was judged to be at fault and/or charged with a moving violation.

Criminal History

A candidate's criminal history, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, "Alford" pleas, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification. The following will be disqualifying:

  • Any adult felony conviction.
  • Any misdemeanor or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice and/or law enforcement capacity.
  • Any domestic violence conviction.

Employment Record

A candidate's employment history, including any terminations, or leaving an employer in lieu of termination, will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.


Financial Record

A candidate's credit history, including excessive credit card debt or unresolved accounts in collection will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification. The following will be disqualifying:

  • Failure to pay income tax or child support.

Professional Appearance

All applicants are expected to maintain a professional appearance at all times. SPD has the sole discretion in determining what is considered professional, as it relates to the position of Police Officer. Any and all tattoos, branding (intentional burning of the skin to create a design), voluntary disfigurement (marring or spoiling of the appearance or shape of a body part), or scarification (intentional cutting of the skin to create a design) shall be carefully reviewed by SPD on a case-by-case basis.


A valid Washington State Driver's License is required prior to being hired.

Ability to accurately type at least 35 wpm is highly desirable.
 

Seattle residence is not required for application or appointment.

Job offers are contingent on review of credit, criminal and driving history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.  Medical, psychological, and polygraph examinations are administered after a conditional offer of employment is made.

 

Additional Information

Please see the following links for additional details on the exam and WAPAT components:
•    NTN Frontline National (Law Enforcement) Exam
•    NTN Public Safety Self-Assessment
•    Washington State Physical Ability Test (PAT)
 
Sign up here to participate in an upcoming Seattle Police Applicant Workshop to learn more about policing careers, the Seattle Police Department, and tips to navigate our hiring process!  

 

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants are highly encouraged to review the Seattle Police Department's "Careers and Opportunities" web pages for further information about the hiring process.

The role of the Fire and Police Exams Unit in the Seattle Department of Human Resources is to oversee the initial exam process, establish an eligible list, and upon request by the Seattle Police Department, certify candidates from the eligible list. 

The Police Department will directly contact and schedule eligible candidates for all of the remaining steps in the pre-employment screening process. The Seattle Police Department makes all hiring decisions after a pre-employment selection process, which includes a background investigation, additional interviews, physical ability exam, polygraph, and psychological and medical exams.  

TESTING ACCOMMODATION:
Disability accommodations are available to those who qualify. For more information on how to request an accommodation, please visit the NTN Testing FAQ Page (Question 16). 

Salary:  $8662-$11.342 a month


Benefits:   The City of Seattle has a comprehensive benefits package for police officers. For more information about benefits, please click here.